Recent advances of genome mapping and marker‐assisted selection in aquaculture

TLDR

Aquaculture, the fastest growing agricultural sector, has achieved genetic gains in a few species through conventional breeding, yet most species remain wild; marker‑assisted selection has been applied in over 40 species via linkage maps and QTL mapping, but its use remains limited, presenting a promising research frontier. This paper reviews recent progress in linkage and QTL mapping, marker‑assisted selection, and discusses the potential of genome‑wide association studies and genomic selection for aquaculture species. The authors compiled and synthesized recent literature on linkage mapping, QTL identification, MAS, GWAS, and GS in aquaculture species.

Abstract

Abstract Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector in agriculture. Substantial genetic gains have been achieved in a few cultured species using conventional selective breeding approaches. However, the majority of fish and shellfish species remain in their wild state. Due to the recognition of the enormous potential of marker‐assisted selection ( MAS ) to speed up genetic gain through early selection, aquaculture scientists have constructed linkage maps in over 40 species and mapped quantitative trait loci ( QTL ) for important traits in over 20 species since the 1990s. Although MAS and genomic selection ( GS ) have not been widely used in aquaculture, their application in breeding programmes is expected to be a fertile area of research. In this paper, I summarized the recent advances of linkage and QTL mapping, as well as MAS in aquaculture species. I also discussed the potentials of genome‐wide association studies ( GWAS ) and GS in aquaculture species.